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Audra McDonald, the most nominated and most awarded actor in the history of the Tony Awards, is setting the record straight regarding the recent comments made by her former friend (and fellow Broadway star) Patti Lupone, who said their friendship has been over for years.
In a clip shared ahead of a full interview that will air on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, McDonald addressed Lupone’s recent fiery interview with The New Yorker, where she called out McDonald and said that they fell out years ago.
“If there’s a rift between us, I don’t know what it is,” McDonald stated, after being asked by King if Lupone’s comments “surprised” her.
Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone pose at the Drama League’s 27th Annual All-Star Benefit Gala honoring Patti LuPone at The Pierre Hotel on February 7, 2011 in New York City. Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
“That’s something you’d have to ask Patti about,” the six-time Tony winner continued. “You know, I haven’t seen her in about 11 years just because we’ve been busy just with life. So I don’t know what rift she’s talking about, but you’d have to ask her.”
When asked in the interview with New Yorker how she felt about McDonald’s current role on Broadway starring in Gypsy, a role that she also starred in, Lupone offered a catty response.
Per interviewer Michael Schulman, Lupone reportedly glanced outside for 15 seconds before finally answering, saying, “What a beautiful day.”
Although she said her rift with McDonald occurred years ago, many fans pointed out that the timing is suspect, as Lupone publicly took issue with McDonald supporting Hell’s Kitchen star Kecia Lewis against Lupone’s comments about the Alicia Keys-produced musical.
Audra McDonald, left, and Patti Lupone acknowledge applause from audience and conductor John Mauceri during celebration of Mauceri’s 200th concert with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Lewis called out Lupone for describing Hell’s Kitchen as “too loud,” which Lewis slammed as “bullying,” “offensive,” “racially microaggressive,” “rude” and “rooted in privilege.”
When Schulman informed Lupone that McDonald supported Lewis, she replied, “Exactly. And I thought, ‘You should know better.’ That’s typical of Audra.”
Up next for McDonald are this year’s Tony Awards on June 8, where she will be vying for her seventh award and breaking another Broadway record.
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